An Edinburgh woman who used a fraudulent passport to register to work in the care sector has been removed from the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) register after a criminal conviction.
Regulator finds serious breach of trust
Margaret Munzara was found guilty of offences under the Identity Documents Act 2010 relating to possession of a passport in a false name and holding a document she knew had been improperly obtained. The SSSC has concluded a long-running investigation into her registration applications after identifying irregularities dating back to 2011.
The regulator said Munzara presented the false passport as proof of identity when she first registered with the SSSC at its Dundee office in July 2011 and supplied misleading details on her application form, including an incorrect date of birth and the denial of any other names used. On a later registration in December 2019 she again provided an incorrect date of birth.
“You had used this passport dishonestly. You used this as your identity document to apply for registration with the SSSC and attempted to mislead the professional regulator by providing false information about your identity on your application to register with the SSSC.”
The report states Munzara retained the false passport as recently as January 2024. She was convicted at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on 25 March 2025. Following the conviction the SSSC decided she should be removed from the register, citing what it described as a "serious abuse" of trust by repeatedly using the document to verify her identity.
Local impact and safeguarding implications
The SSSC has emphasised that people who rely on care services must be able to know who is providing their care. The regulator said it could not be satisfied Munzara would not repeat the behaviour, and concluded removal from the register was necessary.
This case raises questions about how identity checks and record-keeping have been conducted over a prolonged period. The exact length of time Munzara was able to work in the sector on the basis of the false documentation is not known, although the investigation indicates the issue was present for more than a decade.
- Offences recorded under the Identity Documents Act 2010: possession of a passport under a false name; holding a passport known to be improperly obtained.
- First SSSC registration using the false document: July 2011.
- Conviction date: 25 March 2025; false passport still in possession as late as January 2024.
Practical information for employers and service users
Employers and care providers should ensure robust identity verification procedures are followed when hiring or registering staff. For service users and families seeking reassurance, the SSSC register can be consulted to confirm whether an individual is currently registered and any restrictions on practice.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Initial registration with false document | July 2011 (SSSC, Dundee) |
| Subsequent incorrect registration entry | December 2019 |
| Conviction | 25 March 2025 (Edinburgh Sheriff Court) |
The SSSC’s response underlines the regulator’s role in maintaining standards in Scotland’s social care workforce. Any employer or member of the public with concerns about a care worker’s identity or registration status is advised to contact the SSSC directly or check its online register.
This office will continue to follow developments and any statements the SSSC or court make regarding this case and its implications for local safeguarding and recruitment practices.
